What’s a physics degree from HMC good for? Plenty. But don’t
just take our word for it. Listen to what our alumni say.

Nathan Cook graduated from HMC in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in
physics. Has his HMC physics degree served him well? When we surveyed
him in 1997, he replied

My Mudd education has been indispensable for this job. My attitude
towards science has been the single most important strength, and I
know that my years at Harvey Mudd contributed positively and greatly
to that attitude.

At the time, he was teaching high school physics in Spartanburg,
South Carolina. Since then, Nate has

earned a master of education degree from Converse College
(1997)

earned a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from
the Georgia Institute of Technology (2002)

worked as a live fire survivability engineer for the US Air
Force, determining the vulnerability of US systems to enemy fire by
subjecting them to actual bullets, fragments, and blasts

worked as an outreach engineer, engaging and inspiring students
in kindergarten through college to pursue careers in STEM
fields

spent a year as a flight test engineer student at the US Air
Force Test Pilot School, the only civilian in his class, where he
earned a master of science in flight test engineering (2007)

He is currently a US Air Force civilian flight test engineer,
heading the F-16 weapons integration team at the 416th Flight Test
Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base. The team evaluates military
aircraft and hardware, making recommendations to the Air Force on
decisions worth billions of taxpayer dollars. In January, he will
return to the USAF Test Pilot School as an instructor engineer.

I spoke with Nate before he gave a talk in HMC’s engineering
seminar on 13 October 2010.

Physics has absolutely enabled me to do all these
different things. Its a great foundation for all sorts of technical
fields. If you get an undergraduate degree in aeronautical
engineering, thats about all employers think you can do. With a
physics degree, it’s much easier go into mechanical engineering,
aeronautics, basically any kind of engineering and applied work.